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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Protect your pet Cat, they should NOT be outdoors unsupervised

If I upset a number of people with this post. I don't care. I am much more upset than any of you will be after reading this post, which I hope to keep short.

Frankly, I am sick to my stomach and heartbroken.

While visiting blogs, I was reading one where one of their cats has been missing for approx 2 or 3 days.

They stated that it seems their cat had been seen by someone in the neighborhood, and that the cat was BEING ATTACKED BY A COYOTE. They went on to say that said neighbor "broke up the attack", and that the "cat didn't appear to be THAT hurt."

They are hoping the cat is off somewhere "licking it's wounds" and that it will return home.

The AWFUL Truth?The poor cat is probably DEAD.

The coyote more than likely returned to complete what it had set out to accomplish to begin with, or, the poor cat died a most horrific and painful death.

I am NOT against cats being outside while SUPERVISED.
I understand many people have living situations and a litany of reasons, why they allow their cats to be outside without supervision, (acreage, "non-busy streets", "safe areas", etc.) but MOST PEOPLEDO NOT RESIDE IN THESE AREAS.

I AM TIRED OF READING ABOUT CATS BEING ATTACKED BY COYOTES.I AM TIRED OF READING ABOUT CATS BEING KILLED BY CARS.

My heart is breaking at the thought of what probably happened to this poor cat.I nearly became physically ill and almost broke down crying when I read that post.I gasped audibly.
I pray with all of my heart that the cat wasn't horribly hurt and that it DOES return home.

It is highly unlikely.

I am aware of allowing your cat to be outdoors unsupervised being a personal decision, my intent is NOT to pass judgement, but to prevent the senseless deaths of too many cats that have passed due to outdoor dangers, I am BEGGING AND PLEADING if you OWN A CAT....if you aren't outside WITH THAT CAT....PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IT INSIDE.

FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY:

Protecting your pet cat

Coyotes aren't the only threat cats face when they go outside—there are far greater dangers. When you allow your cat to roam freely outdoors, even for short periods of time, you expose her to perils such as cars, dogs, diseases, coyotes, poisons, and cruel people. If you want your cat to be safe, keep her indoors.

Some people let their cats outside because they mistakenly believe it's cruel to keep cats indoors. The truth is that cats who are protected from the dangers outside live longer, happier lives. (You'll be helping your neighboring wildlife stay safer and happier as well.) We've got guidelines to help you keep your indoor cat happy.

I had a friend who lost her cat after it was killed by a coyote, way before I ever began blogging, and witnessing her pain in person was one of the most gut-wrenching scenes that I have experienced.

Our pets COUNT ON US TO PROTECT THEM, PLEASE PLEASE, if you ARE NOT OUTSIDE WITH YOUR CAT(s), PLEASE BRING THEM INSIDE!!!!!

95 comments:

You covered that there are so many things they may encounter & one that one should be aware of is the fertilizers that kill bees will kill cats as well. If your cat has been outside & is safely back in the house watch him/her closely to be sure that he/she isn't ill from that or something else ingested out there. Just walking across a lawn has apparently gotten some cats from what I have read. (And the nicotinoids will get all of us in the end by killing bees....)

Cats may also pick up worms & fleas from being outdoors whether attended or unattended. Somewhere I read that where there are dogs there will be fleas. We had a cat who was indoor/outdoor and he did not have fleas; back then we didn't have dogs in the neighborhood. Now that we do, fleas galore.

I would add to your caveats also that when people have lost their cats outdoors they need to check ALL the kill pounds in the area early and often as some kill rapidly. Even in a city like NYC for just one example they are killing cats constantly at their NYCACC kill pound (which has promised many a person dumping a cat that THEIR cat has a chance of being adopted....) Even when it is obvious that a cat is so friendly it has been a loved pet cat they end up on death row & no advertising is done to let anyone know except that done by volunteers.

Our cat who loves the outdoors is outdoors only in our arms; our cat who appreciates being indoors is never taken outdoors lest she start missing it.

Caren, this is one of the most important blog posts I have ever read. I haven't talked about it on our blog, but I've been having an ongoing dispute with a neighbor who considers their cat an "outdoor cat" and allow him to wander anywhere he wants. AND we live on a busy street with a high school on it. I started giving him some food when he would cry at my door and this made them very angry. The police have been called twice. The second time they were told that there is an ordinance in our city against "free roaming cats". Since that time they have made more of an effort to keep him in, but not exclusively. I feel like anonymously mailing this post to them.

I don't see how anyone can say they care about their cat and leave them outside to fend for themselves. If I didn't know where Truffles was at any given moment I would go out of my mind. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this.

Caren, I don't disagree, you know I don't. You know the lengths I've gone to, to allow the boys to be safely contained in our tiny garden.

The problem is that the average person who has a cat isn't around the CB, and you are preaching (mostly) to the choir.

My neighbourhood is filled with roaming house cats, though there ARE some who have enough common sense to keep their cats inside.

But there ARE significant differences in attitudes in other parts of the world, where it's seen to be cruel to keep a cat inside. Attitudes in North America are slowly changing, but I believe that the average human thinks nothing of letting their cat roam -- and that idea is going to take a long time to change, if it ever does.

BTW, I'm really, really, really glad I don't follow or read the blog you're referring to -- in fact, I'm really glad I don't know which it is -- and I don't want to know.

I do remember my first year around the CB, there was a blogger with multiple cats who let them roam...and at least one breed. I had to stop following them, it made me ill and angry.

I didn't think you were directing your comments toward me at all, Caren. If I were living elsewhere, they'd be indoor-only, no question. The thing is, depending on where you live, your circumstances, etc., there ARE ways to let your cat get outdoor time, safely. Either via an enclosed catio, as so many around the CB have these days (nice to see!) or via harness and leash, etc. There's no reason to let your cat roam, and actually, a lot of cities probably have by-laws against cats or dogs trespassing on others' property--our city does.

It's just that the average person doesn't really care -- it's just a cat, a nice pet, but in the end, just a cat, of less value than a human. I don't share that idea, but I suspect I'm in the minority--along with the others in the minority here. LOL.

You are soo right! In hindsight, I should have used the term "roaming"....I was going to mention catios as a SAFE alternative but that is one of the things that I meant when using the word "supervised" A Catio is allowing a cat to be outdoors "supervised"...as you said, it isn't "roaming" but is enjoying the outdoors "supervised" by an enclosure. Same with leashes and harnesses. I used to take my Angel Bobo out with a leash but that is taking a cat out "supervised." You are right about the common viewpoint of those OUTSIDE of our community for sure, and that is sad. Thank

Excellent post and you had the courage to say what I just skirt about not wanting to rattle cages. i have never been able to understand why cats are allowed to roam outside unsupervised either. There are too many things that can happen to them. I've had indoor only cats for 50+ years, and never had a problem with them. It's heart breaking to read when something happens to one of them.

Thank you Mario. I have wanted to in the past but always talked myself out of it. I literally had read the blog I mentioned within 15 minutes of writing this. I had to delete about two paragraphs because I was so upset.

That is heartbreaking! Why ever didn't the neighbour tell her at the time so she could look for the poor cat. Of course the coyotes would have returned. It is so upsetting. When Flynn goes out in the fields he is always ALWAYS accompanied by me. I couldn't bear to think of anything like that happening to him.

Hi Flynn, not sure if the neighbor knew who the cat belonged to until they ran into her after the fact. That I don't know. Oh I KNOW that Flynn (and Eric too) is ALWAYS with you or his Daddy. I sooooooo know that! xoxo

We're all inside only kitties. Decades ago, our humans let the kitties be inside-outside. Well, our Bevo got stung or bit by something (a bee or a snake) and died. Our Elvira was hit by a car. And many of grandma's kitties also died from being outside - they were hit by cars, got feline leukemia, etc. When we moved to California, we were in an area where we could hear coyotes and Jezebel became an inside-only kitty. And she lived to almost 21, by far the longest any kitty any of our humans had had lived. The average lifespan of an indoor-only kitty is by far longer than an outside kitty, so that's why we're all indoors.

Lone Star I am so deeply sorry about your Bevo and Elvira. That is so terribly sad. I am so sorry!!!! I AM happy that Jezebel is an indoor kitty, ironically, the blogger I mentioned is in California so you can understand even better (by hearing the coyotes in the distance). (((hugs)))

And Elvira was hit by a car while sleeping in our driveway... an idiot just drove into our driveway to try to read our realtor sign, hit her and didn't tell us... she was only 1 and a half....a gorgeous kitty.We had a large lot and I let myself be bullied by a realtor who said people won't buy your house if you have pets inside. After that I determined I would buy a new house and move before I would put a house on the market. That way, they can't complain about your pets or steal from you ( yeah, we had things stolen by people who were touring the house with a realtor)....Some people in our neighborhood here outside of Dallas toss their kitties outside at night... and we have seen coyotes in our neighborhood. Idiots.

We don't have coyotes here but we have other dangers outdoors. We applaud your passion and for taking a strong stance on this... we too, think cats should be indoors and only allowed outdoors under supervision - that's why all of our family are leash trained, so they can safely explore the garden under mumma's ever watchful eye.

It just breaks my heart when I read or hear about an outside cat who was killed by wildlife, cars, or other things. I've owned cats for over 30 years now and none have ever been allowed to go outside. I'm a very overprotective mom to my girls and have a fit when they aren't in my eyesight. I'm also glad I didn't read the post you are talking about. I can't believe that person didn't go out and try to find their cat immediately to get it to the vet to be checked out.

Sweet Purrfections good point. I believe they found out a day or so after the event, but you are right, why they didn't scour the neighborhood again when they heard that, I have no idea. The last line of the post was rather matter-of-fact, more or less that they had resigned themselves to a possible bad outcome and that was that. If it had been me, I couldn't have even brought myself to write the post to begin with.

Agree here Cody and Mom! I know many people believe in letting cats outdoors, but I have seen far too many run over, maimed or starving here in the Midwest that I am really against it without supervision and going right back in when you are not with them. My boys wouldn't go out at all if Ralphie wasn't so insistent and he only goes for a quick bite of grass. Marty really doesn't go out much at all now that sunporch is open all the time and I have kitty grass growing all the time.Marty's Mom

Marty's Mom, thank you for being such a careful kitty parent! I know the vast majority who read blogs are....AND...I am NO WAY even talking about those who have rescued FERAL CATS and are feeding them outside. That is NOT what I am talking about. Those people have no choice but to keep the cats outdoors. It is those with pet cats that let them wander freely.

How awful! I'm glad I don't follow the blog you mentioned - my human is upset enough reading your post about it. Because of the coyotes (and raccoons, and loose dogs, and cars), we are never, ever allowed outside! Ever. Even if we were in harnesses with leashes, we'd pretty much be kept confined to a kitty enclosure around our neighborhood. It's very pretty where we live - but it's just not safe for us. When my human sees cats on her walks, she's happy to talk to them and pet them, but she always worries about them.

Sparkle I wish I didn't know the blog either. I had stopped reading it and then my luck, decided to read this post (and a few before it) when it arrived via email. Funny you mentioned harnesses because they worry me too. When I used to take my Angel Bobo out he had a HEAVY leather dog collar and a heavy leash. (the collar was removed inside). I have NEVER trusted cat harnesses, I have heard of too many horror stories of them breaking and the cat running away terrified.

Right on Caren. This is a message that needs to be said over and over and over. I'm not a cat owner but I have had the upsetting experience of seeing domestic cats dead on the roadside from being hit by cars. The effect on the songbird population is devastating too…but that's another issue. Bottom line is what you said - our pets depend on us to keep them safe. And cats should be inside or under human supervision.

I agree Caren. I don't think this can be preached enough. After just recently almost losing our Sierra by allowing her to sit on our front porch only to have her stolen by some crazy woman who thought the cat was her long lost tabby, she will never be outside unsupervised again. All the others are indoor cats. Too many dangers and too many cruel people around to not take notice. Thanks again. Deb

Don't get us started on cats that are allowed to roam freely. The mom really dislikes that their humans allow it. Not only are there dangers for the cat outside, but the cat comes to our house and drives us crazy.

THANK YOU for saying all of this. It needs to be said. That is just terrible - I'm so glad I don't follow whatever blog it is that you read that one. How anyone could be so careless and indifferent about their cat BEING ATTACKED BY COYOTES is beyond me. There are several free roaming cats in our neighborhood. They come into our yard often, maybe because they see our cats in the windows. I was loving on one the other day and gave him some treats - he was missing an ear and had obvious bite marks on his neck, probably from another cat. I know which house this cat belongs to, so I know that he has a family and is not just a stray. It makes me so angry! I don't where this belief came from that cats are animals that can just be kept outside to roam, and that getting in cat fights and scrounging for food is "normal" and "okay" for them. It's disgusting.

Hi Kitty Cat and you are welcome. Thank you! Wish none of us had to keep writing about this. OMG my heart just broke when I read what you wrote about the kitty missing an ear that is obviously someone's cat. It breaks my heart. It IS disgusting and makes me physically ill.

It is horrible and cats do deserve to be inside. It definitely needs to be said. It's happened to me many times as a kid (our cats were indoor/outdoor) and most recently as an adult. Honey Delite was not technically my cat, but I still felt like she was. I wish I could have given her a better life indoors. I know the outcome would have probably not been good with Shiner in the house though. And there was KKMM who came to us as a "feral". I tried hard to turn her into an indoor only cat, but she always escaped. One summer, she refused to come inside at all... Thankfully, her life did not end because of an outdoor incident and I'm quite frankly shocked at that. I've seen all kinds of things like cat fight wounds, hit by cars, and other random things too. If people can do it, they should really try to keep their cat inside.

I completely agree with you! Aside from all of the obvious dangers of allowing a cat outside, coyotes are showing up in more and more places. They're attacking pets in the middle of busy neighborhoods. They're also becoming less timid around humans, making them that much more dangerous.

My cats do not step a foot outside, and my Pomeranian (smaller than many cats) does not spend one second alone in our fenced in yard. I've spotted a coyote watching her, and I live in a highly congested area.

I hope that poor cat does make it home and they rush it to the Vet! I react the same exact way when I read such stories. As I'm fighting for my own indoor cat's life, it really pisses me off that people knowingly put their cat in harm's way. Yep, I am judging.

This is why we have our "catio", which is roofed, has three brick walls and one screened wall, no openings anwhere and the only door to outside has a padlock! Heartbreaking to read these stories.Excellent post!

Well said Caren, thanks for posting this. Maybe it will save the lives of a few cats by shaking up their owners. Their are many dangers in the outside world for cats and not just coyotes and cars. I am currently fostering a little kitten who is missing half of one ear. It could have been torn off but it looks like to me it has been very cleanly sliced off. Humans can be extremely cruel. You know I spend a lot of time volunteering at the local shelter and I have seen cats and dogs brought in with all sorts of problems by well meaning (but totally stupid) pet owners. Sorry I'm drifting off the subject now but much of what I see makes me very angry sometimes.

I do have three outside cats who came to me as ferals. I wish I could get them inside but so far no luck so I protect them as best I can (we live on a cul de sac with very little traffic and our large yard is fenced) and keep them healthy. All of my other cats are strictly indoor and always will be.

Hi SquirrelQueen you didn't "drift off" you pointed out super important info. There are horror stories on the news much too often about children abusing pets, teenagers abusing pets and adults. And, as you said "the well meaning but totally stupid" pet owners. As I said to Sue below, it is different when you have feral cats who refuse to become indoor cats. You have taken steps to help make them as safe as you possibly can, and that ultimately is what matters!

Caren! This is such an important post... And really touched on a large issue world wide. In fact one of my friends just had an argument with her dad who let's her cat out while she is at work only for him to get badly insured... We spent quite some time at the vet to get the poor boy medical care and back to health after he was attacked by foxes in London! Apparently a lot of people here don't think that the scruffy foxes of London can and would take on a cat...

Oh My Marc, that is just awful. Foxes didn't cross my mind because i don't hear about them as much. Thank you also because you are in the UK and are proof that not everyone shares the same opinion about it being "ok" for cats to just be "roaming" I am so sorry that that happened to your friend's cat. That is just awful.

That is heartbreakingly sad. It is difficult for us to understand as most cats here are outdoor cats but again we don't have the wild life you have so our situation is very different. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are over here. There is so little to worry about re weather and wildlife etc. We so agree under the circumstance caution always. Have a fabulous Friday.Best wishes Moly

Molly, thank you. Yes, that touches on what Fuzzy above said, that different parts of the world feel differently and have different situations. Love that you said "caution always"....YES. You have a fabulous Friday too.

You are so right. Mom is adamant about having indoor cats. Our kitty Tom came with us from Germany. He was adopted from a rescue and had to be outside part of the time or he destroyed things in the house, there was no other way. In Germany it was fine, and here in the US, he hung our in the yard with us and never went far from home, but Mom did not like it. Sadly one night he just disappeared. We never saw him again and we will never know what happened to him. Mom hates it and it makes her so sad to this day, but he had to be outside. That was the one and only cat she will ever allow to be outside. It is just too dangerous.

This truly is heartbreaking and I can understand your frustration. I once had a cat hit by a car and was devastated - it was my cat and it was an indoor only cat. But, I had to leave town for a couple days and someone was watching her for me. I gave clear instructions that the cat was NOT allowed outdoors, but sure enough, this person thought I was being too obsessive about it and let the cat out thinking it was not a big deal and she was hit by a car. Some things are never forgotten and as a result, my cats will never be let outside unless I am certain that I can properly and safely supervise their surroundings.

This is a touchy subject and I know it can cause much debate. Thank you for taking a side of concern and education. xoxox

Oh Dear God Deb I am soooo sorry!!! OMG and to have that happen when you weren't there and someone whom you trusted was "watching" your cat? OMG I would have died. BTW I LOVE how you allow your cats to be outside with YOU right there with them!!! THAT'S what I'm talking about! xoxo

I agree with you, but... (you knew there'd be a but, right?) in our case Skeeter is an outside cat. Why? Because she is a formerly feral kitty. One of many I've fed (and vetted and re-homed when I could). She wants no part of the house. As she's grown older, she rarely leaves the yard. She has a cat house (insulated and handbuilt to match our own house), plus the barn, etc. We have motion detector lights on the back deck and back porch that we installed specifically for her safety. It's pretty much the best we can do. Should note that previous cats have been indoor/outdoor cats... mostly indoors.

Hi Sue and thanks for sharing. In this situation it is obvious that you have done AND ARE DOING your best to keep Skeeter as safe as possible. I know the love you have for your pets. It is true that often, despite our best efforts, that a cat will NOT become an "indoor only" cat, in that type of a situation, it is important that people do what you have done, if they refuse to be inside, you took steps to help make the outside as safe as you possibly could.

Getting slightly off topic, when the cat is indoor-only and doesn't have access to a catio or something similar, I think it's hugely important to make the living environment an enriching as possible. It's not just about having a cat live into its teens or even to 20, it's about *quality* of life as well.

You are sooooooooooooooo right...you must have ESP because something that will help to ensure that will be posted later today (it was already on my agenda and was supposed to be up at midnight, but the above post took precedence)...........

well said -and necessary. we completely agree -we know that different areas and different countries have opinions about it. but we side completely on indoor only (and so does the rescue we volunteer with). mom can't imagine what she would do worrying about us wandering around. we care for a feral girl and that gives mom heartburn enough. there are just too many dangers out there for it to be safe for a housecat that doesn't have survival skills (as opposed to barn cats or feral that generally have a little more sense). it is just sad....and like you, it breaks our hearts

Oh, my, how horrible. I watched a video yesterday of a coyote in what looked like a park setting in a city stalking an old woman walking her dog. Just a few weeks ago we posted on seeing a coyote on our daily walk - close to home - and wondering if that is why we haven't seen but one or two feral cats this year. I keep a stricter eye on the dogs when they're out in the pen since then.

Yep Jan, I am willing to bet that that is a reason why. I live in a commercial/suburban area with TONS of stores and TONS of traffic, guess what? Coyotes have been spotted barely a mile away. Sadly, they are being pushed closer in to residential areas due to wooded areas being developed. They present a HUGE danger in many areas. Yes it is wise to watch your dogs!

Caren, you know my boys are indoors/outdoor and I'm a staunch advocate of safe outdoor enrichment but never free roaming or in areas with coyotes. Every situation is different and it's the responsibility of the cat guardian to decide the weigh the risk VS. the benefits. I have no doubt Merlin is still kicking because of his daily garden visits with me.

Oh Layla are you kidding? OF COURSE I know that! Yes, every situation IS different, you are correct. I also know that more often than not you are present with your cats outdoors. BIG DIFFERENCE. Your cats aren't roaming the neighborhood and that is primarily what I meant.

Thank you for speaking for me and a lot of other cat lovers. Every time I read a post about a missing cat, I want to say the same but know it’s not the time or place. I’d ax why people feel the need to let their cat out but the nswer is simple. No indoor litter box to clean and no cat pestering them to eat/play/etc. We know first hand because two of Syssy’s kittens were allowed out and both were poisoned by a nut in the neighborhood. Had we known they were going to be allowed outside, we probably wouldn’t have let them go. I haven’t read all your comments but remember Marilyn doing a post like this and taking all kinds of flak for me.

Hi CK ! You are welcome and thank you. Wish we didn't have to blog about this so often. So far, no flack but I expect it. I do want to make it clear that I am in NO WAY referring to those who have feral cats that they MUST keep outside because they have rescued them and are giving them food and shelter. They are NOT the people that I am referring to at all. That is totally different. I am so sorry about Syssy's kittens. We have countless stories on the news about dogs and cats who have been poisoned and abused by kids/teenagers. If the cats/dogs weren't roaming, odds are it would be less likely to happen. Thanks for your support!

:( oh I just hate stuff like this!!! I agree with CK, a lot of people put their cats lives at risk simply so they don't have to clean a litter box and so on and so forth. Well.....really, if you can't find "time" then why did you even adopt a cat to begin with? It is ridiculous, and I applaud you for being brave and speaking your mind! I hear of far far far too many cats who went missing while they were outside. :(ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

All my cats were rescued from the streets. Meow-Me and Boomer were supposed to have been released after their neutering. If we had not adopted Tutu, her original rescuer would have taken her back and released her back on the street. I couldn't bear the thought of any of them out on the streets so I adopted them all and brought them in. To let him experience the "outdoors", we had the catio built.

I practice TNR on my street and one of the TNR, Stinky stays around our porch. I feed and care for him but I can't bring him indoors. Thankfully, we have no coyotes around and our neighbors are cat friendly so the TNR cats are well looked after.

We can't handle reading about situation where cats are in precarious situations. If that makes me as weak hearted then so be it. I work so hard to keep my animals safe and find it incomprehensible that everyone doesn't, and I know they don't.

Mum always had indoor cats until she bought the house with Dad 10 years ago. Countryside, garden, non-busy road, Dad was for letting Céleste and Loupi go outdoor (Mum was afraid, but agrees anyway). Céleste disappeared (foxes ?) at 2 years old, and Mum and Dad learned the hardest way with Angel Loupi that even a single car a day on the nearby road is a car of excess. Just after his death, Zorro disappeared for 4 days. Mum was so awfully sad that Dad could barely stand it. No need to discuss : our fence was a must-have and the condition so that we can again go out to the garden. Thank you for your post ! Purrs

You KNOW I ADORE YOU and I know how you suffered so after Loupi passed. My heart was breaking for you (and still does), but...you rectified the situation and you should be sooo proud. It is an honor to Loupi and the others that you did so. xoxoxo

Mine are all indoor. If ever we went outside we would have to use a leash or condo type enclosure. So sad to hear cats getting hurt or killed when it could of been prevented. There are a lot of neighbor cats outside around here. Sometimes it upsets my cats.Sue B

It makes me sad when I see cats walking around here too. There was a woman in our complex who always let her cat wander. One day I asked her where it was because I hadn't seen it in some time. She said "it got sick and died" to this day I don't believe it, I am fairly certain it was killed by a predator. I live in an apt/condo complex which makes it even worse when people let their cats wander. Also, we have a shopping center right next to us and we live by a busy road. No one should let their cats wander around here.

Just because we live by the beach people think there are no coyotes. It kills us when we see the lost kitty sign. They are not lost!! Mom ran after a coyote with a broom cause it had a huge kitty in its mouth. After kitty and coyote squealing, he dropped the kitty and ran. Mom yelled at our neighbor even though he was gratefulLily & Edward

We agree so much, Caren. It doesn't matter where you live... there are always dangers and risks. From disease to tragic accidents, it can happen in the city, the country, the suburbs...anywhere. And there is nothing even remotely cruel about keeping a cat indoors. Nothing at all. xo

Sorry for my English.Not a surprise, but I strongly disagree with your post and with most of the commentaries, for several reasons.First … life is dangerous as it leads to death no matter what we do!Second : it is rather insulting for cats to think that they are stupid being who need to be put in jail.Third …I moved from Paris to where I live now in 1990. All my cats are or were in and out door cats, free to go outside during the day. Virgule died age 12 (cancer). Her son Tifounet died age 18 (same cancer as his mother). Iounnou died age 19. She was an Aby and she was ill and old. She had an accident INSIDE the house ! Loustiquette is 12 (and I am not happy about the fact that she goes outside at night even if she stays very closed to the house). Hisia my Aby is 2 years old and is supposed to be inside at night (two nights ago I was outside at 9pm, 10pm, midnight and 4 am…. looking for Hisia).I love my cats. And I respect them for what they are. They are so happy outside. The small road near the house ends 300 meters further, in the forest. The garden has no fences. No dogs around. I know at least 10 other cats who live around (that is a problem for Hisia as abys tend to be very dominant cats).The house is … 10 meters from the forest. No foxes, no predators, just deers and martens.Fourth … I cannot stand generalities.. many places are dangerous for cats. But others are not.Hisia is so happy to run and run very fast and tree climbing is one of her favourite activities. An in door cat tree …. To be 15 meters or more from the ground is so much fun.And … of course, when there is nobody home, my cats are inside the house. With no exception !I am not stupid or arrogant, I know that bad things can happen to my cats because nothing is 100% secured. You can die just by crossing the street next to where you live !

Nat Hi and THANK YOU for your comment! My post (and many of the comments) were directed about cats who LIVE IN THE U.S.A.I don't live in a beautiful, peaceful and non-car environment that you do.A number of others above (and I agreed), that attitudes in different parts of the world are different.This was predominantly directed at those who ARE careless owners and don't seem to EVER know where their cats are.I know you are not "stupid or arrogant".....I KNOW how you love your cats AND you also mentioned that your cats "are supposed to be inside at night!!" THAT is being a responsible owner! You aren't letting them run around all night unattended.You also have no foxes, no predators........there is a BIG DIFFERENCE!Once again, this was primarily directed at those in the U.S. who live in areas that are TERRIBLY DANGEROUS for cats to be roaming WITHOUT supervision or deadlines.You also mentioned that when no one is home your cats are inside, YOU are a RESPONSIBLE owner!!

This be a soapbox of ours too. Weez hav lost many furiends since bein' on da net to outside dangers. And sowwy but weez don't cawe ifin yous hav lots of land or non busy stweets, da cat belongs indoors!!! And out wiff da hooman? Wee fink onluy ifin attached to a leash wiff a wesponsible adult attached to da udder end. Weez only go out in ow stwoller and weez be service cats dat go out all da time. Weez awe quite happy to live indoors and don't need anyfin' outside. Da kittys of tuday hav been domesticated to da point dat we no longer need or hav any weason to be outside. Weez fink those awe just excuses fur da peeps dat don't wanna take da time to play wiff their kittys. Weez hav written postys on this vewy fing aftew weez lost 2 furiends in a kupple days of each udder. Boff those deaffs kulda been purrvented. And dat's da sad pawt. Da kittys didn't hav to die, and they didn't hav to die alone and scawed. Nun of us awe fwo aways, when will peeps learn? How many of us hav to die and pay da purrice fur hooman ignowance? weez will shut up now, but gweat posty.

We don't have cats, but I don't let my dogs outside without supervision...I certainly wouldn't let a cat who would be up a tree and gone in 60 seconds. I agree with the idea of allowing a cat some freedom to explore and be a cat, but do it safely.

a sad post but a responsible one,I had a cat who was a out door cat but he wouldn't go very far unless he was with me and our dog as he would come with us on our walks he even waited next to me to cross the road with the dog and would come back with us too,I never had to use a leash on him for those walks,he was one smart cat.and at home I would always call him and he would come running thats why I knew he wasn't far.I only have Speedy at the moment but where I live there are an awful lot of cats to many really and they roam the streets as they please ,there are now laws here in the UK reguarding this sort of thing as cats a reguarded as feral and have the right to roam,and that means they can come in to your house and injure you pets with out there being any responsibilty to the owner like there is with dogs.which is why I had to cat proof my garden to keep Speedy safe.It is safer for cats in the UK go out as we don't have the wild animals like you do but still I think that you post should be adopted here too,xx Rachel

This is hypocritical post. I live in area of third world and there are cats dying every day. I took some of them and give them food and shelter, but if I have to leave them in house I have to spend much more time with them = I can accept much less cats and the rest will die.

Seeing the situation from USA is nonsense. Not whole world is USA where one dead cat is a tragedy. There are millions cats dying even now and who will care about them?

We used to let our cats outdoors, and lost some sooner than we should have because of that. When one got killed by the dog next door, in our own yard, that was the last straw. We've kept them inside since. Thanks for being brave enough to write this, Caren, and I'm sorry that other post you read upset you so much. I don't believe there's much hope for that cat either, and I'd be devastated if my neighbor told me that...not assume he was just off "licking his wounds".

I know you have blogged about this before Caren and I have probably replied the same. I was starting to get really upset until I read Molly the Wally's comment. When I started blogging, I really had no idea that so many people had cats indoors all the time and that there was such strong feelings about it. Here in the UK, it is the general rule that cats are indoor/outdoor and are allowed to roam freely, as Speedy says cats don't have natural predators here in the same way as in the US. However, IF I lived in town or city, IF there were dogs running loose in the street, IFI felt that my cat was in danger, I would not let him out. As it is, he never goes far and he ALWAYS comes when I call and NEVER stays out at night.

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About Me

Lived in Cleveland, Ohio for 35 years, where I worked in advertising at The Plain Dealer, (Ohio's largest newspaper) for 21 and a half years. Moved to Michigan in 2001.

After falling victim to company downsizing in 2007, my "re-invention process" began. The movie "Julie and Julia" was the catalyst which lead to the birth of "Cat Chat With Caren and Cody" in 2009. It is a tribute to my Angel Bobo, my current cat Cody, and cats everywhere!

I am deeply immersed in the Pet industry working as a Digital Influencer, and Professional Blogger.

I am also available to help you manage all of your social media needs!.